agricultural

An agrochemical is any substance that humans use to help in the management of an agricultural ecosystem. Agrochemicals include: (1) fertilizers, (2) liming and acidifying agents, (3) soil conditioners, (4) pesticides, and (5) chemicals used in animal husbandry, such as antibiotics and hormones.

The use of agrochemicals is an increasingly prominent aspect of modern, industrial agriculture. The use of agrochemicals has been critically important in increasing the yield of agricultural crops. However, some uses of agrochemicals cause important environmental and ecological damages, which detract significantly from the benefits gained by the use of these materials.

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Fertilizers are substances that are added to agricultural lands to alleviate nutrient deficiencies, allowing large increases in the rates of crop growth. Globally, about 152 million tons (138 million metric tons) of fertilizer are used in agriculture each year. In the United States, the average rate of fertilizer application is about 218 lb per 2.5 acres (99 kilograms per hectare), and about 21 mi…

Agricultural soils are commonly too acidic or too alkaline for the optimal growth of many crop species. When this is the case, chemicals may be added to the soil to adjust its pH to a more appropriate range. Acidic soils are an especially common problem in agriculture. Acidic soil can be caused by various factors, including the removal of acid-neutralizing bases contained in the biomass of harvest…

Pesticides are agrochemicals that are used to reduce the abundance of pests, that is, organisms that are considered to interfere with some human purpose. Many kinds of pesticides are used in agriculture, but they can be categorized into simple groups on the basis of the sorts of pests that are the targets of the use of these chemicals. Herbicides are used to kill weeds, that is, non-desired plants…

Contagious diseases of livestock can be an important problem in modern agriculture. This is especially true when animals are being reared at a high density, for example, in feed-lots. Various agrochemicals may be used to control infectious diseases and parasites under such conditions. Antibiotics are especially important in this respect. These chemicals may be administered by injection whenever ba…

Many important benefits are achieved by the use of agrochemicals. These are largely associated with increased yields of plant and animal crops, and less spoilage during storage. These benefits are substantial. In combination with genetically improved varieties of crop species, agrochemicals have made important contributions to the successes of the "green revolution." This has helped …

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